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Month: March 2016

The Federal Public Service Finance and Fiscal Department for Foreign Investments in Belgium will visit several cities in the U.S. in April for talks about recent tax policy developments in Belgium and Europe. Tax seminars will be held in Seattle, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta and Boston. We are lucky to have Atlanta on the schedule. It will also be an opportunity to meet our new Consul General of Belgium in Atlanta, William De Baets. The event is free and a light lunch will be served.

The various tax aspects about will be discussed during the seminar ‘doing Business in Belgium and/or investing in Belgium’.

There is not much that you can do, when you are far away … You feel helpless and ineffective. Your people at home need you, and you are stuck on another continent. The last flight into Brussels – DL 80 – left Atlanta on Monday and landed at our National Airport on Tuesday morning, shortly after the attacks. Its passengers deplaned at a remote location on the airfield. And now, there are no direct flights. Belgium is in limbo. Belgium is mourning. But Belgium will rise stronger.

beATL – with the support of the Consulate General of Belgium – held a vigil for the Brussels’ terror attack victims at Bantam + Tiddy yesterday. We wanted to express our solidarity to all affected, offer our comfort and show how united we are, here, there and everywhere. We were joined by French supporters for whom it was a sad déjà-vu … The Consul General of Ireland, Shane Stephens, was also in attendance as well as Claire Angelle, Director of the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, Wim Van Cauteren, Trade and Investment Commissioner for Flanders-Belgium (FIT) and representatives of the Consulates General of France and of Switzerland. [The Mayor of the City of Atlanta and The Consul General of France were with us in spirit, not able to attend].

Our compatriots came draped with Belgian flags or were wearing Belgian colors. We shared wine and Belgian beers around typical Southern food … This is us in Atlanta. And, as concluded by our Consul General Genevieve Verbeek during her a few words loaded with emotions: Belgian spirit will never be broken! We observed a minute of silence during which one could almost see the sadness weighing down on all of us.

A huge Thank You goes to all of you, who took time out of your busy schedules to be part of our impromptu, convivial but respectful gathering. And a very special Thank You is extended to Executive Chef, Shaun Doty, the co-ower of Bantam + Biddy, who contacted the Consulate General to offer his restaurant as meeting place, and generously provided wine and food for our community. And also Thank You to beATL Meltse, our waffle-maker of the evening, who spontaneously started making Belgian waffles for us ….

Everyone will remember where and how they heard about the malicious, atrocious and unnecessary attacks that hit our country in its heart earlier today (3/22/2016). We are all going through a rollercoaster of emotions, struggling to find the right words to express our shock, anger, distress, sadness, disgust, fear, confusion,… But one thing is clear: we are all united wherever we are and determined to face our future with dignity and courage.

For more info, the tweets at ‎@CrisiscenterBE gives regular updates as well as the Facebook page of the Embassy of Belgium in the United States. That is of course in addition to the many online sources and news channels. Here are some facts.

Should you wish to express your solidarity with Belgium and your support to the victims of the dramatic attacks in Brussels, their families and friends, you can do so by sending your thoughts to this address. The Consulate General of Belgium will compile your texts in a Condolence Book to be presented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Didier Reynders.

Belgium will be in mourning for 3 days, until March 24th. beATL is planning a support gathering to show love, and respect. Potentially on Thursday 3/24 end of the afternoon/early evening or Tuesday 3/29… Details to follow – suggestions welcome.

We have all been deeply touched by all the kind words, support and solidarity pouring from all over the world. Mayor Kasim Reed issued a touching statement as well as the City of Atlanta Police Department … And we all heard Mr. Obama brief but powerful words of sympathy and support.

Our thoughts are with everyone in Belgium and anyone affected by today’s tragedy.

WE ARE BELGIUM

L’union fait la force | Eendracht maakt macht

Hop Hop Hop … grab your little basket and join the Belgian Club of Atlanta for its traditional egg hunt on Saturday March 26th from 3 – 5 pm. Easter Bunny will be in attendance and yummy waffles will be served at 3.30 pm just before the egg hunt! Don’t wait to RSVP…. spaces are limited!

Hans Dekeyser, Vice President of Strategic Marketing of the Industrial and Government Division of Barco, will be sharing his insight in Belgian-started global visualization technology company, Barco. Even though Barco is known for its stunning visual experiences, there is a lot more to it.

Mr. Dekeyser will explore the different areas in which Barco is developing and conquering the world. He brings to us business cases that have proven that Barco is putting its stamp on the visual world. Mr. Dekeyser will also touch upon some things that are in store for the future. Last but not least, he will give an insight in how Barco is reshaping itself with their brand new world-class “OneCampus” in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Logistics

When – Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 6.30PM

Where – Burr & Forman, 171 17th Street, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30363

Parking – Available in the parking garage under the building. Parking will be validated.

Hot from the press … a real 6-course Belgian Beer Dinner organized by Greenville Sister Cities International as part of the Upstate International Month will take place on Monday March 21st, 2016 at the Belgian tavern The Trappe Door [South Carolina]. Up to you to pick the Goût de France dinner [see recent article] close to home or hit a 150-mile drive [via I-85 N] for true Belgian delight! Of course, you can do both!

Upstate International Month highlights the beauty of Greenville’s diverse community through musical and artistic performances, discussions, book talks, culinary experiences and much more during the month of March. Take a look at their events calendar. Greenville is ‘sister’ with the Belgian medieval city of Kortrijk since 1991, and their interactions include student exchange programs through Furman University and exchanges between local garden clubs.

The Trappe Door, is a Belgian tavern with an old-world vibe offering in its regular lunch menu [to name a few] Cheese Croquettes, Coq Au Vin, Carbonades Flamandes and as dessert Belgian Waffles and White Chocolate Profiteroles. And I will take note of that restaurant for future travel plans!

I know … this blog is all about Belgian related stuff … but what if we do not have any Belgian restaurants in Atlanta? Surely our epicureans will appreciate a French culinary event instead. So here you go, even if I get stomach cramps just writing this!

Goût de France/Good France celebrates French gastronomy in various locations worldwide on 21 March 2016. Over 1500 chefs on all five continents are expected to join the event on the day of Spring. Dinners served simultaneously in participating restaurants will honour the merits of French cuisine, its capacity for innovation, and its values: sharing, enjoying, and respecting the principles of high-quality, environmentally responsible cuisine.

The Atlanta-based Southern Art*** [chef Didier Lailheugue – Executive chef at Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta] and Table 3 Restaurant & Market in Nashville, TN [chef Charles Robb, Jr.] are participants of Goût de France/Good France. While our local friend has set his a sophisticated and well-though menu at $58/person [wine not included], you will need to make the trip to Nashville for a cheaper dinner [$38/person] with vichyssoise, moules marinière and crème brûlée.

***Southern Art if offering this Frenchy menu in addition to their current menu from March 18-21.

Good news for our Soccer Fans: yes, you can watch the The European Championship games in Atlanta. And better news: beATL, in collaboration, with Red Devils USA will organize life action for us all to enjoy [details of venue closer to the date]. Belgian attire, attributes and patriotic make-up are a must… Tous Ensemble/Allemaal Samen from June 10 to July 10, 2016!

Belgium is part of Group E that also includes Sweden, Italy and Republic of Ireland. Here are the championships Group Stage games … It will be tough but ô so exciting! Of course, more games to come!

Monday 13 June 2016 – Belgium vs. Italy @ 9 pm Euro time

Saturday 18 June 2016 – Belgium vs. Rep. of Ireland @ 3 pm Euro time

Wednesday 22 June 2016 – Sweden vs. Belgiun @ 9 pm Euro time

Our road to the Final ! So if you tweet, use the following #tousenfrance #euro2016 @BelRedDevils which is the official Twitter of the Belgian Red Devils. On Facebook, follow the dedicated page.

In prep for those super duper important moments, some friendlies are organized. Watch our Devils against Portugal on Tuesday March 29th at 8.45 pm Euro time. beATL will let you know if this one will be aired on our screens.

Side notes for those like me trying to understand the whole thing …

The team of the final tournament host association, France, qualifies automatically for the final tournament.

The 24 teams that qualify for the final tournament into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, F) of four teams each.

Each team plays each of the other teams in the same group once, according to a league system (three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a defeat).

The 6 group winners, 6 group runners-up and the 4 best 3rd-placed teams play the round of 16 in single leg knockout matches.

The Annual Francophonie Festival Atlanta will present the Belgian Movie “Les Rayures du Zèbre” [Scouting For Zebras – released in Belgium 2014] by director-writer Benoît Mariage with Belgian actors Benoît Poelvoorde [José Stockman], Marc Zinga [Yaya Koné] who won the Magritte du meilleur espoir masculin2015 and Tom Audenaert [Koen] at the Alliance Française on March 15th, at 7 pm. It’s free but you must register. See Logistics below for details.

Synopsis: Tackling a touchy subject with dark humor and complex underlying morals, the film details the shrewd maneuverings of José, a Belgian soccer expert specializing in scouting Third World talents, bringing them to Europe and making them stars. José thinks he has found an amazing player in the Ivory Coast. When the rookie’s tryout goes poorly, both men rethink their assumptions about the game… Check the intro with our dear actor Benoit Poelvoorde (attention language châtié).

The screening will be followed by a Belgian themed reception from 8.30 to 9.30 pm.

Atlanta’s Francophonie Festival is organized by the Atlanta Francophonie Committee, a multi-cultural collaboration between represented by the Consulates of Belgium, Canada, France, Haiti and Switzerland, the Québec Delegation in Atlanta,the American Association of Teachers of French, the Alliance Française of Atlanta, the French American Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta-Accueil and Ecole du Samedi.

Parking – parking is underneath the building. Once inside Colony Square, take the escalator up to the very top (Plaza Level). Alliance Française is located directly above Moe’s Grill. Bring your parking stub to validate for FREE parking.

The movie – I imagine it’s clear for all … the film will be in French with English subtitles … Dramedy ‧ 80 minutes | Rating: PG13 – some coarse language and might be shocking to those sensitive to racial discrimination … The movie has been filmed in Belgium and Ivory Coast.